St Patrick's Day parades have been under way in the US since the start of the month in cities and towns across the country.
Communities tend to celebrate their Irishness early in here, and one of the most closely watched celebrations will also be taking place a few days ahead of St Patrick's Day.
On Thursday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will meet with US President Donald Trump.
Brexit, Northern Ireland and immigration are expected to dominate discussions.
In a statement issued ahead of the visit, the White House said the two leaders will discuss maintaining the progress achieved by the Good Friday Agreement.
They'll also look at ways of further strengthening relations between the US and Ireland.
Ireland's Ambassador to the US Dan Mulhall says Brexit is likely to feature heavily.
"This year the messaging will be very strongly connected with Brexit because of course it's happening just a couple of weeks before the Brexit deadline day and we know the Americans have been very understanding of our situation," Ambassador Mulhall said.
"It's an important opportunity for the Taoiseach to put across the message about Ireland, about our concerns on Brexit but also about the future of our relationship with the US post-Brexit, when we will be the only English speaking country in the EU", he said.
Concerns have been expressed by some US Congressmen in recent weeks about the impact Brexit could have on Northern Ireland.
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Democratic Representative Brendan Boyle has introduced a motion in the US House of Representatives opposing the return of a hard border.
Other influential Congressmen like Richie Neal and Pete King have warned that a return to a hard border could threaten a future post-Brexit trade deal between the US and the UK.
Also on the agenda while the Taoiseach is in Washington will be the E-3 visa programme.
In Washington, it’s all about having good contacts on Capitol Hill and in the White House.
The Irish lobby is close to the recently appointed acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, himself a proud Irish-American.
Meanwhile, on a recent visit to Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida, Ambassador Mulhall briefly met the US President.
"We have an open ear for our concerns in Washington and that's something that will be very apparent when the Taoiseach is here because that ear is never more open than in the period surrounding St Patrick's Day," Ambassador Mulhall said.
The annual presentation of the shamrock bowl in the White House has, in the past, been viewed as a lighthearted affair.
This year however it falls at a crucial time in the Brexit process and will provide Ireland with a golden opportunity to make its case at the highest levels in Washington.
